The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-13
CONGRESS.
FURTHER DEBATE ON THE INTER.
STATE COMMERCE. BILL.

WARRINGTON, January l2-Mr. Hoar, from the
committee on claims reported the senate bill to
extend the time forfeiting claims in the court of
claims under the French spoliatien act for twelve
months additional, The bill passed.
Mr.. Dolph, from the committee on coast de-
fenses, reported as an amendment to be offered an
item appropriating S5,ON,6O to encourage the
manufacture of steel for ordnance.
Mr.. Allison, from the committee on appropria-
tons, reported back the appropriation bill with
amendments. ordered printed.
Oh motion of MIR. ingalls,, the senate bill to
amend section 3,749 revised statutes, in regard to
renting or selling government property, was taken
up and passed.
he senate then resumed consideration of the
interstate commerce bill, and was addressed BY
MIR. CALL who declared his concurrence in the great
objects of public policy sought to be carried into
effect by the original bill and by conference re-
port.
would not insist on vote to-day Debate had de-
veloped in the press and other organs of public
opinion feeling of intense interest and much was
repressed which he regarded as profitable to those
who were engaged in the consideration of the sub
Mr.. Call referred to the fact stated in the work
of MIR. Poore, that the capital invested in the rail
roads of the country exceeded their
planned the rates charged for transportation
were to pay interest and:dividends this fictitious
capital The people were now paying an annual TAX
of sStOO0O 900 on this fictitious capital He could
nothing in that if 1t permitted to continue
but the ruin of the republic. No regulation OF
interstate commerce could be made that permitted
this enormous annual tax. Did the conference re-
port propose TO remedy the evil? 1t did not On
the contrary, it implicitly licensed it.
Mr.. Mitchell, OF Oregon addressed the senate
in similar strain. He held that the adoption of
the bill would be vital blow struck at the trans
continental and foreign commerce of the country,
and that the railroad companies would abandon
the business rather than give up their profit on
local business.
MIR. Cullom stated there were three or four sen
ators who desired to speak the bill and who had
not this evening He would not, Therefore, ask for
a vote tonight, but would do so before adjourn.
ment tomorrow.
After some further desultory debate the senate
Adjourned,
HOUSE
WASHINGTON, January l2.-The floor was, under
special order, accorded to the committee on judi
cary and the house proceeded to the consideration
| of Edmunds' anti-polygamy bill and the Tucker
substitute therefor.
| Mr. Taylor, of Ohio. gave brief status of the
| establishment of the Mormon church in Utah, ant
| the efforts which had been made by congress tC
destroy the practice of polygamy. These effort.
| had been only partially successful, owing to the
| difficulty of obtaining proof of polygamous mar
| riages. Congress should take the matter In hand,
not in spirit of persecution, but with determi
nation that the evil and wrong of polygamy shOulC
| cease.
| The house substitute was agreed to and the sen
ate bill, thus amended, was passed without div
sion, only eight members rising to demand I'll,
yeas and nays
| The house then adjourned.